Best Cafes Serving Specialty Coffee in Zagreb
Written by 
Updated on Aug 18, 2025
I strive to keep all content fresh, but details may change
Zagreb is a great destination for coffee enthusiasts. It comes as no surprise as Croatians love their Kava. The emerging cafe scene reflects the undeniable importance coffee plays in daily life and is an interesting mix of friendly next door neighbor cafes, stylish espresso bars and top notch roasteries. I’ve spent two weeks in the Croatian capital to find the best cafes serving specialty coffee. Here’s a summary of what Zagreb has to offer.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. While clicking these links won’t cost you anything, they will help me to keep this site up and running.
Founded in 2014, Cogito began when five coffee obsessives – Hannah Powlison Belkovic, Benjamin James Lesher, Matija Klakocer, Matija Hrkac, and Matija Belkovic – decided to challenge Croatia’s traditional coffee culture. The story actually starts six months earlier with Cafe u Dvoristu, “cafe in the courtyard”, a quiet experiment in downtown Zagreb that would become the blueprint for Cogito’s approach. There are currently four Cogito coffee shops in town, occupying back alleys, courtyards, and quiet streets, hence creating destinations. They have also expanded to the coastal region of Croatia.
Here you’ll find:
- Profile: Light-to-medium, emphasizing transparency
- Sourcing: Direct relationships with some producers
- Brewing: V60, Chemex, precision espresso
Owner-barista Dado champions Croatian roasters at Monocycle Coffee in Zagreb. This quirky coffee shop is known for its unique decor and super friendly owner. The compact space, distinguished by its spiral staircase, creates an environment where coffee conversation flows naturally. But that’s not all that sets Monocycle Coffee apart. Their coffee is carefully crafted, whether you’re in the mood for a classic espresso or something more adventurous, like their signature “Monocycle Mocha”. While seating remains limited, the terrace offers prime people-watching territory. Hop on your imaginary monocycle and enjoy!
Here you’ll find:
- Roaster partnerships: Exclusively Croatian micro-roasters
- Extraction style: Clean, balanced, emphasizing origin characteristics
- Notable detail: Latte art that demonstrates genuine craft
Opening in 2005, Eli’s stands as Croatia’s ground zero for specialty coffee as the first establishment where Zagreb’s coffee culture evolved beyond traditional bitter extractions. Founder Nik Orosi didn’t just open a café; he also captured three Croatian Barista Championship titles, so you’re in good hands when it comes to coffee. Plus, the funky and cozy ambiance of the cafe makes it the perfect place to relax, socialize, and maybe even try one of Nik’s award-winning espresso drinks.
Here you’ll find:
- Bean selection: Single-origin arabicas, seasonally rotated, and house blend
- Roasting philosophy: Precision over volume
- Extraction focus: Temperature stability, consistent dosing
- Legacy: Training ground for multiple Croatian champions
Steps from Jelačić square, Express Bar occupies a narrow corridor of Petrinjska Street where owner Ivan Leko merges barista precision with mixology expertise. The elongated space reveals itself in layers—a chalked-up info board displaying the week’s rotation, a bicycle suspended above the La Marzocco, industrial lamps casting warm light across clean surfaces. The terrace on Petrinjska becomes Zagreb’s de facto coffee forum, where seasonal harvests spark debate and the latest roast profiles undergo public scrutiny.
Here you’ll find:
- Machine: La Marzocco
- Roaster partnerships: local and international roasters, rotating
- Service philosophy: Education through conversation, not condescension
Founded in 2003, this roastery predates Zagreb’s specialty wave by a full decade, establishing protocols when most of the city still drank dark roasted robusta. Quahwa is a roastery-cafe where you can enjoy traditional Turkish coffee brewed in scorching sand and artisanal teas that are sure to delight your taste buds. Located in the center of Zagreb, Quahwa is a cozy and inviting spot that’s perfect for coffee lovers looking for something unique. With a rotating selection of premium coffees sourced from around the world, there’s always something new and exciting to trytaste.
Here you’ll find:
- Roasting philosophy: Origin-specific profiles, medium development
- Turkish coffee: Sand-bath temperature control, traditional cezve technique
- Alternative offerings: Matcha service, craft beer selection
Be warned, the road to Four Wheel Coffee Roasters may not be the most inviting one. It’s tucked away in an aging shopping center facade that tests your faith in Zagreb’s coffee underground. But trust us, the top floor of this concrete behemoth holds a coffee destination that’s worth the trip. As the hustle and bustle of the mall fades into a distant hum, Four Wheel Coffee Roasters greets you with the sweet aroma of freshly roasted coffee and a panoramic view of the city. Meanwhile you can watch as Karlo Puric, the master roaster and founder, brings green coffee beans to life.
Kavantura opened in the summer of 2018. The location in a neighborhood known for being a concrete jungle is an unusual choice for a third-wave coffee shop. However, the owners Dejan Ganžulić, a Croatian AeroPress champion, and his partner Irena Rašeta, relish the challenge. With the help of a friend who roasts coffee, they offer guests a journey through the world of coffee, featuring a variety of filter methods and coffee beans from different countries.